The Chile global has played 1,107 minutes in the Premier League this season – more than any other forward at a Champions League club – and has appeared regularly for Chile in their World Cup qualification campaign.
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England full-back Kieron Gibbs missed the Norwich game with a calf problem but is set to return for Saturday.
Defensive midfielder Francis Coquelin is expected to be out for three months after suffering ligament damage, while Jack Wilshere, Tomas Rosicky and Mikel Arteta are also out. The game at Emirates Stadium comes four days before the critical Champions League group game against Olympiacos, which Arsene Wenger’s wide must win by two clear goals to progress to the knock-out phase.
“I have said it before, there is great depth in the team”, Bellerin told the club’s official site. The Gunners were dealt a blow with what looked like a hip injury to Laurent Koscielny, with Brazilian Gabriel taking the Frenchman’s place.
“He says it’s a kick on his hamstring”, Wenger said, regarding Alexis. I must say with all humility we are not in a position where we can predict (injuries) despite all our tests.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has refused to agree that he should have rested Alexis Sanchez, who got injured in the team’s 1-1 draw with Norwich.
Before Sunday’s game, Thierry Henry said he would have liked to have seen Wenger take Sanchez off when they were 3-0 up against Dinamo Zagreb on Tuesday night. It is a nightmare how we played the first two games.
But it’s a much better result than losing Sanchez leading into a busy Christmas period in which Arsenal face Manchester City at home and Southampton away.
“When there are alarming signs, we want to make the right decision at the right moment but as long as the guys are confident, they score goals – it is always hard to rest them”. “You need to go out and say nothing or, ‘I’m resting you today and that’s the way it is”. I have a good relationship with him, if anyone breaks the rules or does something they shouldn’t they will be punished, it hasn’t been an issue, we have moved on.
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Despite Alexis’desire to keep playing every game, his run may be at an end and it may be time for Wenger to consider resting the Chilean winger more often.
